For over 30 years, the National Sleep Foundation1 (NSF) has researched sleep behaviors and reported on sleep science, aiming to promote better sleep and raise awareness about the importance of good sleep hygiene. From March 9th to 15th, the NSF powers Sleep Awareness Week2, designed to emphasize vital links between quality sleep3 and overall health and well-being.
To honor Sleep Awareness Week, and ultimately boost your health, why not reflect on your own sleep habits in view of improving your nightly rest? The NSF has a free and easy-to-use Sleep Diary4 that lets you track your sleep habits and identify room for improvement and areas of concern. This article covers the benefits of tracking your sleep and the importance of quality rest.
Why Sleep Is Important
Sleep is crucial for regulating hormones and blood pressure5, boosting the immune system and maintaining breathing and heart health. Research also indicates that good sleep promotes recovery following injury or illness6, and reduces the risk of inflammation. Conversely, inadequate sleep, particularly over the longer term, can contribute to chronic health conditions7, including diabetes, kidney disease, depression and stroke. Furthermore, poor quality sleep can affect cognitive functioning8, mental health and mood.
Why Tracking Sleep is Valuable
Tracking sleep helps you to identify common patterns, spot problematic habits, improve your sleep hygiene practices and consider seeking medical advice. Knowing your nightly habits helps you to replicate those that aid good sleep and change those, such as eating late in the evening or using technology in bed, that hinder you from falling asleep.
Tracking your sleep, whether manually or using an electronic device9, also helps you understand why you wake during the night. That could be due to noise, pets10, or anxiety, which may encourage you to make changes that enable you to remain asleep for longer. In essence, you'll be able to identify whether you're getting enough high-quality and beneficial-for-health rest.
Extra Challenges Associated with Sleep Equipment
Although sleep therapy equipment can greatly improve sleep quality for people with sleep disorders11, it also introduces small challenges for new users. For example, equipment may feel uncomfortable while users are getting used to it.
Additionally, equipment sounds and lights, although usually minimal, may create a disturbance. It's crucial that individuals clean their equipment regularly per manufacturer recommendations. In addition to handwashing with soap and water, the new FDA-cleared SoClean 3+12 will make a great addition to your routine when it’s released.
Start tracking your sleep over Sleep Awareness Week and take steps to improve your sleep quality to ultimately improve or maintain good health.
In honor of Sleep Awareness Week, we're introducing several new products that are sure to improve comfort and sleep. Save 20% on top of existing discounts on all new products, and some classic favorites too! Shop Now
References
- National Sleep Foundation – Mission and Goals
- National Sleep Foundation – Sleep Awareness Week 2025
- WebMB – How Sleep Affects Your Health
- National Sleep Foundation – Sleep Diary
- News in Health – The Benefits of Slumber
- UChicago News – How sleep affects human health, explained
- AAMC – Sleep as a determinant of health
- National Library of Medicine – The consequences of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance
- National Library of Medicine – Sleep tracking: A systematic review of the research using commercially available technology
- SoClean – Pets in Bed: Pros and Cons for Sleep Quality and Health
- Cleveland Clinic – Sleep Disorders
- Clean – SoClean 3+
